Judaism Practices Flashcards
What is a Syangogue?
House of Assembly for Prayer, Worship and Study
What is a Minyan?
A group of 10 adults you need to have to say certain prayers
Orthodox- Men over 13
Reform- Anyone over 12/13
Beit T’filah
House of Prayer
Why do all synagogues look different?
No rules about what it should look like
Nature of Community
Age of Community
Usually Magen David
What is the Importance of the Synagogue?
Forms the centre if the Jewish Community Celebrates Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Proves a house of Study Charity events Social gatherings
Quote about the Synagogue
“Build me a sanctuary so I may dwell amongst you”
Aron Hakodesh
The Holy Ark Faces Jerusalem Contains Torah Scrolls Congregation stands when Open Central No Law on what it should look like Symbolises the Ark of the covenant
The Bimah
Torah read Prayers Led Announcements made Symbolises courtyard in temple Central in Orthodox Front in Reform
Siddur
Jewish Prayer book Contains G-D's Name Kiss when you open, close or drop it Buried in cemetery when old/ruined Different according to denominations Collection of prayers
Menorah
Lit every day in the Temple
Symbol of Israeli Government
Ner Tamid
Everlasting Light over the Ark
Symbolises G-D’s eternal Presence
Torah Scroll
5 Books of Moses
No Vowels
Fast for 3 Days if dropped
Cannot touch without Yad
Orthodox Judaism
Traditional
Only form of Practice until 18th Century
Importance of obeying G-D’s instructions
Different roles for men and women
Reform Judaism
Progressive Judaism
Religion should change to adapt to modern life
Overall Moral code should be obeyed rather than each individual law
Equality for Men and Women
Public Worship
Pray 3 times a day
Led by a Rabbi or a Cantor
Orthodox Services
Leader has back to Congregation Service in Hebrew Singing Unaccompanied Men and Women are Separate to avoid sexual thoughts Men cover head Married Women wear a hat
Reform Services
Celebrate Shabbat and Festivals Men and Women sit together Leader faces Congregation Women can perform all rituals Shorter but Structured Conducted in Hebrew and National Language Singing with Instruments
Tallit
Prayer Shawl
Obeying G-D’s Word
Tefillin
Pair of Black leather boxes on forehead and upper arm
Total Concentration on G-D
Format of Services
Opening Prayers vary depending on service
Shema
Amidah- 18 Blessings
3 Blessings- Praise G-D
13 Blessings- 6 for self, 6 for community, 1 for acceptance of prayers
Followed by Torah Reading
Aleinu Prayer thanking G-D
Importance of Prayer
Communicating with G-D
Closer to G-D
Strengthens Community
What is Shabbat?
Gift from G-D- Day of rest Worship G-D and enjoy family life Friday Night to 3 Stars in Sky on Saturday Reminder of the Covenant No work done
Quote about Shabbat
“Remember the Sabbath day and Keep it holy”
Shabbat Services
Friday- 45 Mins with Kiddish
Saturday Morning- Prayers, Blessings, Torah Portion, Sermon
Saturday Service
Torah Held in front of congregation while verses are said
Paraded round- touch with tzitzit or siddur and then to their lips
Read from the Bimah and Paraded again before going back in the Ark
Sermon
Preparing for Shabbat
House is Cleaned
Food Prepared
Smart Clothes Worn
Table set with best Cutlery and Crockery and 2 Candles
Wine. Grape Juice and 2 Challa’s Covered with Cloth
Wine
Symbolises Joy and Celebration
Challah
Manna
Lighting Candles
Female lights candles
Cover eyes and say a blessing
Friday Meal
Kiddush Blessing
Wash hands
Blessing Over Challah
Songs and Prayers
Havdalah
Blessings over Wine
Sweet Spices
Candle with Several Wicks
Worship in the Home
Stand to Pray
Mezuzah
Kashrut Kitchen
Tenakh
The Written Law
24 Books
What does the Tenakh contain?
Torah- Five books of Moses
Nevi’im- Prophets. 8 Books on Jewish History
Ketuvim- Writings. 11 Books on Poetry, Stories, Accounts, Advice etc
Talmud
The Oral Law
Torah Passed on by Word of Mouth
Rabbi Judah Hanassi wrote it down in 200CE
Mishnah
First written Oral Law
Dietary Laws
Marriage
Divorce Shabbat
Gemara
Commentary on the Mishnah
Importance of Rituals
Faith Preserved and Passed On
Rites of Passage- Main Life Events
Ceremonies Associated with Birth
Naming Ceremony
Brit Milah
Redemption of the Firstborn Son
Quote about Birth
“Be fruitful and Multiply”
Naming Ceremony
Orthodox Children blessed on first Saturday after Birth
Father recites Torah Blessing to ask for good health for wife and baby
Baby Girl’s name will be announced
Boy’s announced at Brit Milah
In reform, both parents take part
Brit Milah
Removal of the Foreskin from the Penis
Covenant made with Abraham
Brit Milah Ceremony
8 day old boys
Close friend or relative picks up baby and puts them on an empty chair
Mohel picks them up and gives him to the Sandek- Honoured Role given to grandfather
Father blesses son
A blessing is said over the wine and the baby is formally named
Foreskin removed in operation that heals
Family enjoy meal to celebrate
Why won’t a Bit Milah take place on the 8th day?
If the baby is ill
Shabbat/Festival
Premature
Redemption of the Firstborn Son
Orthodox Practice Only
First Born Son required to devote himself to temple
Small sum paid to priests by family to redeem them
Some still hold ceremony- Natural Birth Only
Quote about Brit Milah
“You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin”
Bar Mitzvah
Son of Commandment- age of 13
Bat Mitzvah
Daughter of Commandment- age of 12
Celebrating a Bar Mitzvah
Boy reads from Torah at first opportunity at normal service
Take classes to prepare
Wear tallit for first time
Leads part of service and gives a short speech
Father declares him responsible
Party and Gifts
Celebrating a Reform Bat Mitzvah
Girl reads from Torah
Gives a short speech
Lead Prayers
Meal/Party
Celebrating an Orthodox Bat Mitzvah
Family Meal
Small Gifts
Speech/Brief Torah Lesson
Marriage
A legal Union between 2 People
The importance of Marriage
2 Step Process Betrothal- 12 months of engagement Wedding Some orthodox parents pick their children's partners Spiritual Bond Experiencing Holiness in everyday life
Quote about the Importance of Marriage
“Hence a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, so that they become one flesh”
Betrothal
Kiddushin
Couple set aside for each other
Cannot be broken except for death or divorce
Couple won’t live together
Prepare for future together
Ketubah drawn up
Last Shabbat Service-announces intention to marry
Celebratory Lunch- Last time they see each other before wedding
Orthodox Ketubah
Husband’s duties to wife
Inheritance upon his death
Couple’s children will be supported
Providing for wife in case of divorce
Reform Ketubah
Spiritual Aspirations
Hopes for marriage
Promise not to oppose Divorce
Quote about Marriage
“It’s not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him”
Wedding Ceremony
Held under Chuppah symbolising couples new home May fast to cleanse themselves Bedekken- Checking the Bride Bride Circles Groom 7 times Recite 2 Blessings over wine Vows and rings exchanged Marriage Contract Signed, read out and given to bride Sheva Brachat- 7 Blessings Breaking the glass Meal/Celebration
Reform vs Orthodox Vows
Reform-Both
Orthodox- Man
Reform vs Orthodox Circling
Reform- 3 each
Orthodox- woman 7 times
Customs Surrounding Death
Dying person recites Shema
Tear Clothes
Quote about Mourning
“Jacob rent his clothes, put sackcloth on his loins and observed mourning”
Shiva
7 days of intense mourning Sit on low chairs Cover all Mirrors Don't wash Don't shave Food provided
Shloshim
30 Days Lesser Mourning
No Parties
Return to work
Quote about comfort during mourning
“he refused to be comforted”
Stone Setting
Headstone 1 year after death
The Funeral
Takes Place ASAP Candles lit by body Carefully washe Wrapped in linen cloth Body placed in simple coffin Prayers said Mourners shovel earth on coffin Washes hands to leave death behind
Kosher
Food that meets the requirements of Jewish Laws
Trefah
Food Jews are forbidden to eat
Torn
Dietary Laws
Orthodox follow strictly Reform think it’s optional Animals must have split hooves and chew the cud Fish must have scales No birds of prey
Kosher Butchers
Healthy animal killed with sharp knife
Cut throat to avoid suffering
Blood drained
Intestines and kidneys removed
Jewish Kitchen
After meat eaten, several hours have to pass before milk can be eaten 2 Kitchens 2 Sinks Different Utensils Difficult in Non- Jewish communities Label on packaging at supermarkets
Quote about mixing meat and milk
“You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk”
Tosh Hashanah
Jewish New Year
Yom Kippur
Day of Atonement and fasting on 10th day after Rosh Hashanah
Origins of Rosh Hashanah
Creation Story Anniversary Day of Judgment Decided what the year ahead will hold All actions have consequences Reflect and take responsibility for actions
What can Rosh Hashanah Judgement be influenced by?
Charity
Praying
Atone for sins
Celebrating Rosh Hashanah
Shofar Blown 30 days before every day SpecIl forgiveness prayers Buying fruit not eaten usually Candles lit before sunset Festive meal with apples and honey, fish head eaten, pomegranates Shofar blown 100 times Long synagogue service
Origins of Yom Kippur
Holiest day in Calendar
Seals book of judgment
Final Chance to repent
Quote about Yom Kippur
“You shall practice self denial”
Observing Yom Kippur
No work Fast for 25 hours Can’t bath, wear leather, or have sex Wear white Synagogue all day Genera confession as community We is used instead of I Shofar blown to mark end of fast
Origins of Pesach
Passover
Exodus of Jews from Egypt
Preparations for Pesach
Remove and burn Chametz from home
Clean homes thoroughly
Some firstborn males fast
Sedar
Mother lights candles Red wine 3 Matzo Seder Plate Youngest asks 4 questions
Importance of Pesach
Birth of Jewish Nation
Gratitude for redemption
